* Established by religious dissenters fleeing persecution in England.
* Sought to create a "holy commonwealth" - a society strictly governed by religious principles.
* New England towns had a strong sense of community and cooperation, with everyone working together for the common good.
* Towns were typically organized around a central meeting house or church, where residents would gather for religious worship and community meetings.
* Town governments were run by elected officials, and decisions were made by a majority vote.
* New England towns were largely self-sufficient, relying on agriculture and fishing to provide sustenance.
* Trade and commerce were also important, with many towns developing into bustling ports and trading hubs.
Proprietary Colonies:
* Established by individuals or groups who received a royal charter from the English crown to settle and develop a certain area.
* Proprietors had almost complete control over their colonies, including the power to make laws, grant land, and appoint officials.
* Towns in proprietary colonies were often planned by the proprietor and laid out in a regular grid pattern.
* Proprietors typically encouraged settlement by offering land grants and other incentives to attract colonists.
* Examples: Maryland (founded by Lord Baltimore) and Pennsylvania (founded by William Penn).
Royal Colonies:
* Established directly by the English crown and governed by a royal governor.
* Royal governors were appointed by the king and had the power to make laws, collect taxes, and dispense justice.
* Towns in royal colonies were typically established by groups of settlers who were organized and funded by the crown.
* Royal colonies often had a more diverse population than other colonies, as they attracted settlers from a variety of backgrounds.
* Examples: Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in North America) and Massachusetts (a center of Puritan culture).
